ELIJAH & ELISHAD I S C O V E R

Prophets with Power

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ELIJAH & ELISHAD I S C O V E R

Prophets with Power

L E A D E R G U I D E

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We thank Deb Fennema for writing the first edition of this study. Thisrevised edition incorporates updates and suggestions by readers and smallgroup leaders.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this publication are fromthe HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, © 1973, 1978, 1984,International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan BiblePublishers.

Discover Your Bible series. Discover Elijah and Elisha: Prophets with Power(Leader Guide), © 2002, 2006 (revised) by Faith Alive Christian Resources,1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407.

All rights reserved. With the exception of brief excerpts for review purposes,no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever withoutwritten permission from the publisher. For information or questions aboutuse of copyrighted material please contact Permissions, Faith Alive ChristianResources, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407; phone: 1-800-333-8300; fax: 616-726-1164; e-mail: permissions@faithaliveresources.org.

We welcome your comments. Call us at 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail us ateditors@faithaliveresources.org

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-59255-290-0

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ContentsTo the Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7The Ministry of Elijah, Elisha, and Other Prophets (map). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Lesson 1

Power over Life and Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Lesson 2

Who Is the One True God? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Lesson 3

Never Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Lesson 4

God Punishes Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Lesson 5

Passing the Mantle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Lesson 6

Bringer of God’s Word. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Lesson 7

God’s Mercy and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Lesson 8

“There Is a Prophet in Israel” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Lesson 9

Trusting in God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79Lesson 10

Prophecy and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85An Invitation and Prayer of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93Evaluation

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To the LeaderPrepare the Lesson

This leader guide is meant to assist you as a small group leader but notto substitute for your own work. As you prepare to lead each lesson, workfirst through the questions in the study guide. Then use the leader materialto enrich your understanding of the passage. Prepare thoroughly beforeleading each group session so that you can lead without frequent referencesto notes. This approach will free you to concentrate on leadershipresponsibilities, keep eye contact with group members, and listen carefully.

Get Ready to LeadLearn to think in terms of questions. As you prepare to lead a lesson,

ask yourself questions and try to discover the answers yourself. This willprepare you to anticipate group members’ questions and thus help othersdiscover truths from God’s Word.

Lead with QuestionsUse questions to direct the group discussion. Draw out positive

contributions by asking questions. Break down difficult or unclear questionsinto smaller, concise ones. Also use questions to respond to wrong orproblematic answers. If you learn to lead others to truth by questions, youwill be a good Bible discovery leader. The questions in this study aredesigned to be used with the New International Version of the Bible, butother translations can also be used.

Help to ApplyGently help group members discover the meaning of God’s message for

their own lives. Be careful not to be judgmental of persons who may not yetseem to be applying the truths you encounter together. It’s the Spirit’s workto apply God’s Word to people’s hearts. Tactfully let the group know howthe Spirit is applying the Word in your own heart and life. Pray faithfully forthe Spirit’s work in others.

While giving people the time and space to apply biblical truths as theSpirit leads them, simply try to help group members see that there is arelationship between the Bible and life. Questions for reflection at the end ofeach session invite everyone to take time for personal reflection andoptional sharing. Try to offer at least a few minutes for reflection timetoward the end of each lesson, and encourage group members to do follow-up reflection at home.

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Leadership TrainingIf more than one group in your setting is using this Bible study, we

strongly encourage leaders to meet regularly for discussion of the lessons,for prayer, and for mutual support.

If this study is being used in a Coffee Break Small Groups program,each leader should have a copy of the Coffee Break Evangelism Manual withDirector’s Handbook. This book is a basic “how-to” guide for establishing andleading a Bible discovery group. Reread the book or portions of itperiodically and review it at the beginning of each season.

Leading with Love in the Coffee Break Core Values series is anotherimportant tool for leadership development.

Leaders will also find it helpful to attend one or more of the manyleadership training workshops offered each year in connection with smallgroup ministry.

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Glossary of TermsAhab—one of Israel’s most rebellious and unfaithful kings. Ahab reigned in

Israel for almost twenty-two years (874-853 B.C.). He marriedJezebel, a worshiper of Baal, who built a temple to Baal in Samaria.

Ahaziah—a son of Ahab who became king of Israel after his father died.The last verse of 1 Kings 22 tells us that Ahaziah worshiped Baal andprovoked the Lord to anger, as his father had done. He reigned onlyabout two years, from 853-852 B.C.

Asherah—a Canaanite goddess, or a wooden image representing thisgoddess. Asherah was worshiped as the sexual companion of thegod Baal.

Baal—This name means “master” or “husband” and is used to refer toseveral Canaanite storm gods. The Baal worshiped at the time of Ahabwas probably Baal Melqart, the god of Tyre. Baal is also sometimescalled Rimmon (see 2 Kings 5:18). When Ahab married Jezebel, princessof Tyre, she promoted Baal worship in Israel and tried to get rid of theworship of God.

Baal Shalisha—a region west of GilgalBaal-Zebub, the god of Ekron—this version of the god Baal was one of the

most popular gods worshiped by the Philistines, Israel’s longtimeenemies in Palestine. The NIV Study Bible explains that the name Baal-Zebub “means ‘lord of the flies,’ a deliberate change by followers of theLord (Yahweh) to ridicule and protest the worship of Baal-Zebul (‘Baalthe Prince’), a name known from ancient Canaanite texts.” Ekron, amajor city of the Philistines, was located about 25 miles (40 km) west ofJerusalem.

Baasha—a wicked king of Israel who reigned for twenty-four years. Hedestroyed Jeroboam’s family but also walked “in the ways of Jeroboamand in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit” (1 Kings 15:34).As a result, Baasha’s family was also punished (16:1-13).

Ben-Hadad—a king of Aram who often battled and laid siege to Israelduring the reigns of Ahab and his son Joram (1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 3:1;5:1; 6:8, 24). Scholars note that this was Ben-Hadad II in the line ofAramean kings. He was later murdered by Hazael (2 Kings 8:7-15).

Bethel—an important city in the history of Israel. Jacob (whom Godrenamed Israel) had a vision of God at this site, receiving a promise thatGod would watch over him and never leave him. So Jacob set up apillar there and named the place Bethel, which means “house of God”(Gen. 28:10-19; 35:14-15). Later in Israelite history the people set up theLord’s tabernacle (tent) for the ark of the covenant at Bethel, making it

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Lesson 21 Kings 18Who Is the One True God?Additional Related Scriptures

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Exodus 19; 20:3-4, 7; 29:38-41; 34:6-7Leviticus 24:10-16Deuteronomy 6:4-19; 10:20; 13:12-18Joshua 23:6; 24:14-261 Kings 17:1; 19:10, 14, 182 Kings 22-23

2 Chronicles 2:4Jeremiah 4:1-2Malachi 3:1-5Matthew 5:38-48; 6:24, 33; 10:37-391 Corinthians 10:31-11:1Ephesians 4:15

Introductory NotesThis lesson covers one of most dramatic stories in the Bible. Elijah calls

for a showdown between the Lord, the God of Israel, and Baal, theCanaanite god to whom Ahab and Jezebel have set up a fertility religionamong God’s people. The land has suffered from a long drought at God’scommand, showing that Baal has no power over the weather or agriculture.Now the people are at a crossroads in their life as a nation, and it’s time tochoose whether they will follow or reject God.

Optional Share QuestionWhat was the most intense contest you’ve ever seen? What made it

intriguing? What impact did it have on you?

1. 1 Kings 18:1-6a. What does the Lord say to Elijah?

• How much time has passed? Has the weather changed?

It’s been almost three years, and no rain has come. God tells Elijah, “Goand present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land” (1 Kings 18:1).

• How do you think Elijah felt when he heard these instructions?

b. Who is Obadiah, and what does he do?

• What is Obadiah’s role at the palace?

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• What has Ahab told Obadiah to do?

Obadiah is a highly trusted overseer in Ahab’s kingdom. He’s the topadministrator in Ahab’s palace. In the midst of the prolonged drought, Ahabwants to search for grazing lands so that his horses and mules mightsurvive. Ahab himself goes searching throughout one area, and Obadiahsearches another. According to a history written for Shalmanezer III, ruler ofAssyria in those days (853 B.C.), Ahab of Israel had more than two thousandchariots, so he had many horses to feed.

• What activity does Obadiah keep secret from Ahab?

• How dangerous do you think this was?

Obadiah is a devout believer in the Lord. He has hidden a hundredprophets of God in two caves and has supplied them with food and waterwhile Ahab’s animals nearly starve. With more than two thousand caves inthe Mount Carmel area, there is no shortage of hiding places. BecauseJezebel is on a campaign to kill the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah is likelyrisking his own life to protect them.

If group members are interested, spend some time discussingObadiah’s example of trying to live a godly life in an ungodly culture.

• Do you think Obadiah’s situation is an easy one? Explain.

• Could he easily leave his position of authority and declare hisloyalty to God?

• How might it work to his (and the prophets’) advantage to have ahigh position in Ahab’s kingdom?

2. 1 Kings 18:7-15a. What is Obadiah’s concern?

• How does Obadiah react when he meets Elijah?

• What does Elijah say?

When Obadiah sees Elijah, he bows to the ground and asks if he is trulyElijah. And when Elijah tells him to tell Ahab that Elijah has come, Obadiahis afraid of being killed. It turns out that Ahab has been searching high andlow for Elijah. Ahab has even made nations and kingdoms swear they weretelling the truth when they claimed they hadn’t seen Elijah. Obadiah

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explains that if he tells Ahab about Elijah and then the Lord decides to sendElijah elsewhere before Ahab sees him, then Ahab will surely kill Obadiah.

b. What does Elijah promise Obadiah?

Elijah promises to present himself to Ahab that very day.

• How does Elijah emphasize his promise?

Elijah again uses the expression “As the LORD Almighty lives, whom Iserve . . .” (18:15; see 17:1). Elijah backs up his promise by invoking the nameof the Lord, the covenant God of Israel. This was not a misuse of God’sname. Coming from Elijah, whom Obadiah knew as the Lord’s prophet, itcould be counted on as the truth. (See Ex. 20:7; Lev. 24:10-16; Deut. 6:13;10:20; Jer. 4:1-2.)

3. 1 Kings 18:16-24a. Why would Ahab call Elijah a “troubler of Israel”?

After hearing from Obadiah that Elijah has come, Ahab goes to meet theprophet, and he says, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” Ahab likely wants toblame Elijah for the drought and famine he predicted three years earlier.

• Where does Elijah place the blame?

Elijah clarifies that Ahab and his father’s family have brought troubleon Israel because they have turned away from God and followed the Baals,the fertility gods of surrounding nations.

b. What challenge does Elijah present? Why?

Elijah calls for a contest. He tells Ahab to summon people from allover Israel, along with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and fourhundred prophets of Asherah, Baal’s companion goddess, to meet him onMount Carmel.

• What do we learn about the prophets of Asherah?

They ate at the queen’s table, which was a strong endorsement for thenational worship of Baal and Asherah.

c. How do Ahab and the people respond?

• What choice does Elijah place before them?

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Ahab sends word to the people and the prophets, and they gather tomeet Elijah on Mount Carmel. Then Elijah tells the people to choosebetween following the Lord or following Baal.

• Can the people choose both Baal and the Lord?

The people must choose to follow one or the other—either the ways ofGod or the ways of this world. Because God is holy, righteous, and true, nodistortions of truth or sinful practices (worldliness) can stand in God’spresence (Ex. 19; Mal. 3:1-5). God is merciful and loving, compassionate andlongsuffering, but at some point the Lord will punish the wicked, who haverejected God (Ex. 34:6-7).

When he says, “How long will you waver between two opinions?”Elijah makes clear that the people are at a crossroads. Through Elijah, God istelling his people that it’s time to decide between the Lord and the falsegods of the world around them.

But at first the people make no reply.

• Why might the people be silent at this point?

We might wonder if the people are simply shocked and need time tothink about their options. But surely most of them are aware that Elijah hascalled them to Mount Carmel to present some kind of challenge againstAhab and his prophets of Baal. So the people probably expect some kind ofchallenge or conflict.

If they are used to thinking about mixing Baal worship with theworship of God, however, they might well be confused. Rather thanabolishing the worship of God in Israel, Ahab and several kings before himhave simply added the worship of other gods, wanting to be like the nationsaround them. The Lord, however, has always made clear that his peopleshould worship no other gods (Ex. 20:3-4; Deut. 6:4-19).

Help your group think through this issue by asking some questions likethe following. Invite everyone also to think of ways in which we couldreword these questions to apply to us today:

• Why was Baal worship so appealing? Did it offer something thatworshiping God did not? Explain.

• Were the people afraid to make a choice that would put them atodds with their king and queen? Explain.

• Were they indifferent to Elijah’s challenge?

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Some group members may be aware that at a time much earlier inIsrael’s history, Joshua asked God’s people to make this same choice—andthey chose to follow the Lord (Josh. 24:14-26). At that time Joshua renewedGod’s covenant with the people and told them to be careful to obey “theBook of the Law” given to Moses (23:6), but for many generations the Bookof the Law was ignored. Group members may also know that Jesus calls ussimilarly to worship God alone, putting our allegiance to God first in ourlives (Matt. 6:24, 33; 10:37-39).

• What do the people say when Elijah presents the challenge as acontest between God and Baal?

Elijah calls for two bulls to be used as a sacrifice. The prophets of Baalare to prepare one bull, and Elijah will prepare the other. The prophets ofBaal will call on their god, and Elijah will call on the name of the Lord. Then“the god who answers by fire” to burn up the sacrifice will prove to be theone true God (1 Kings 18:24). The people agree to the plan.

• Why might Elijah say he is the only remaining prophet of God?

From one point of view, it might simply seem that Elijah is saying,“Look, there is only one of me and four hundred fifty of you!” But Elijahmight also have said this to protect the prophets whom Obadiah hadhidden. Or perhaps Elijah thought he was the only prophet willing to take astand for the Lord. Later, in a time of deep emotional depression, Elijah saysthe same thing repeatedly to God (1 Kings 19:10, 14). At that time, though,God reassures Elijah that there are still many thousands of faithful believersamong the people of Israel (19:18).

4. 1 Kings 18:25-29a. How do the prophets of Baal approach their god?

b. What is Baal’s response?

The prophets of Baal prepare their bull and begin calling on the name oftheir god. They shout to Baal all morning long and dance around their altar.But Baal does not respond. As the writer puts it, “There was no response; noone answered” (18:26).

• What does Elijah suggest?

At noon Elijah taunts the prophets of Baal by suggesting their god isdeep in thought, busy, traveling, or sleeping—all common activities that thepeople of other nations imagine their gods doing. During the afternoon the

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prophets shout louder and begin cutting themselves frantically, according totheir custom.

But again the writer states repeatedly that Baal is unresponsive: “Therewas no response, no one answered, no one paid attention” (18:29).

5. 1 Kings 18:30-39a. How does Elijah approach his God?

b. What is the Lord’s response? How do the people respond now?

After calling the people to him, Elijah begins repairing an altar that hasbeen in ruins.

• What do the twelve stones represent? What are all the tribestogether called?

Elijah is using this opportunity to remind the people who they are andwhere they have come from. He’s also sending a clear message that thetwelve tribes of Israel should be united rather than divided into twokingdoms. (After the reign of King Solomon, the nation divided into akingdom of ten tribes, called Israel, and a kingdom of two tribes, calledJudah—see 1 Kings 12.)

• How does Elijah prepare the sacrifice?

After completing the altar, Elijah digs a trench. Then he arranges thewood and the bull for the burnt sacrifice. The next thing he does is rathersurprising. Elijah orders twelve jarfuls of water to be poured on the woodand the offering. The water soaks the sacrifice and the wood, runs downover the altar, and fills the trench.

• At what time does Elijah pray?

• How does he address the Lord?

• What does Elijah’s prayer reveal about this dramatic test?

Elijah chooses the God-ordained time of the evening sacrifice to pray(see 18:29, 36; Ex. 29:38-41). He refers to the Lord as the God of Abraham,Isaac, and Israel (Jacob). This would remind the people again of their historyas God’s specially chosen people. From this prayer we learn that this test isintended to proclaim that the Lord is God, that Elijah is his servant, and thatElijah has done all these things at the Lord’s command. By this demon strationthe Lord also intends to turn the hearts of the people back to him.

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• What happens when Elijah finishes praying?

The Lord sends enough fire to burn the sacrifice, the wood, the stones,and the soil. It also consumes the water in the trench. The people fall ontheir faces and worship God. Their words reflect the result of the test.

You may wish to note that some scholars suggest the Lord used light ningto ignite the fire. If so, that would be no less a miracle, with the Lorddirecting the lightning to accomplish his purpose. From the biblical text wealso learn, though, that there were no clouds in the sky until after God’s fireburned up the sacrifice and the altar and Elijah prayed for rain (18:42-45).

6. 1 Kings 18:40-46a. What happens to the prophets of Baal?

Elijah orders the people to destroy the prophets of Baal.

• Why would Elijah order this slaughter?

This event can be shocking to us today. While we may wonder aboutGod’s purpose in slaughtering so many people, we can be thankful we livein an age after the coming of Christ. Because of Christ and his once-for-allsacrifice to pay for human sin (Heb. 10:1-18), the people of God are nolonger called to destroy others or take people’s lives for following othergods. Instead we are called to love our enemies and speak the truth in loveto people of all nations and cultures—to the praise and glory of God (Matt.5:38-48; 1 Cor. 10:31-11:1; Eph. 4:15). (You may wish to note also that theCrusades and other religious carnage supported in some eras by the churchof Christ were based on distortions of the truth of God’s Word.)

In the context of ancient Israel and other warring kingdoms, however,death was a common punishment for many offenses. Note together thatObadiah feared being killed by Ahab simply for announcing that Elijah hadcome—not to mention that “Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets”(18:4, 13-14). In that time, death was also sometimes a punish ment for sinsagainst the Lord and his people, especially if leaders drew people to followother gods and to sacrifice children to idols (Lev. 20:1-21:9; 24:10-23; Deut.13). If you have time, you may wish to read Deuteronomy 13:12-18 toexamine God’s commands to ancient Israel on this subject.

b. What does Elijah do next?

c. Why do you think God finally sends rain?

From the next few verses we learn that there are no clouds in the sky,and yet Elijah knows rain is coming (18:41-45). Note that rain would come

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only at the Lord’s command (17:1). Elijah understands that the drought isGod’s judgment on the people’s idolatry. Now that the people have turnedback to God and the prophets of Baal have been defeated, God’s refreshingrains will return. Note also that God is keeping his word to Elijah; in 1 Kings18:1 God says to the prophet, “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I willsend rain on the land.”

So Elijah tells Ahab to go eat and drink—probably as an act ofcelebration—“for there is the sound of a heavy rain” (18:41). In themeantime, Elijah prays. Seven times he sends his servant to check for a signof rain, and finally the servant reports seeing a small cloud rising from thedirection of the sea.

• How does Ahab respond to the news about the rain?

Elijah warns Ahab of the impending storm, and as a heavy rainapproaches, Ahab rides off to Jezreel.

• In what ways does Ahab act as a king? In what ways not?

Notice together that Ahab is portrayed as a puppet king throughout thisentire story. He is not in command. And when God’s blessing of rain comes,Ahab flees to Jezreel, where he keeps a comfortable second palace (1 Kings21:1).

• How does Elijah reach Jezreel ahead of Ahab?

• What’s the significance of this scene?

The distance from Mount Carmel to Jezreel is about 22 miles (35 km).In a heavy storm, rainwater in this region quickly forms swift-runningmountain streams, flooding roads and low-lying areas. As the tempest risesup behind them from the sea, the power of the Lord enables Elijah to outrunAhab’s chariot to Jezreel.

This unusual event again shows the power of God over the power ofAhab and his false gods. The NIV Study Bible describes a further dramaticelement in this scene, noting that “both the Lord and Baal were said to ridethe thunderstorm as their divine chariot” (see Ps. 104:3). Recognizing thatthe Lord had rendered Baal powerless and false at Mount Carmel, we canwell imagine that “this dramatic scene, with the Lord’s prophet runningbefore the king and the Lord himself racing behind him riding his mightythundercloud chariot . . . served as a powerful appeal to Ahab to break . . .with Baal and . . . to rule as the servant of the Lord.”

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Questions for ReflectionIn what situations today do we face a choice between following the true God

and wandering off to follow other gods?

If someone wants to lead you into doing something that goes against God’s law,are you prepared to respond? How will you present the truth in love for thesake of God’s glory?

Think about some of the works of God in your life. Maybe you wandered andGod nudged you to turn back. Maybe you were spared from a series ofevents that could have ruined you. Maybe you were stuck in a disaster, andGod pulled you out. How can you use life stories like these to tell othersabout God’s love and care for you?

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An InvitationListen now to what God is saying to you.You may be aware of things in your life that keep you from coming near

to God. You may have thought of God as someone who is unsympathetic,angry, and punishing. You may feel as if you don’t know how to pray orhow to come near to God.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made usalive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by graceyou have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross tosave us from our sins. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you’vedone in the past, or what your heritage is. God has been watching over youand caring for you, drawing you closer. “You also were included in Christwhen you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).

Do you want to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It’s as simple asA-B-C:

• Admit that you have sinned and that you need God’s forgiveness.• Believe that God loves you and that Jesus has already paid the price

for your sins.• Commit your life to God in prayer, asking the Lord to forgive your

sins, nurture you as his child, and fill you with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of CommitmentHere is a prayer of commitment recognizing Jesus Christ as Savior. If

you long to be in a loving relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer. If youhave already committed your life to Jesus, use this prayer for renewal andpraise.

Dear God, I come to you simply and honestly to confess that I havesinned, that sin is a part of who I am. And yet I know that you listen tosinners who are truthful before you. So I come with empty hands andheart, asking for forgiveness.

I confess that only through faith in Jesus Christ can I come to you. Iconfess my need for a Savior, and I thank you, Jesus, for dying on thecross to pay the price for my sins. Father, I ask that you forgive my sinsand count me as righteous for Jesus’ sake. Remove the guilt thataccompanies my sin and bring me into your presence.

Holy Spirit of God, help me to pray, and teach me to live by yourWord. Faithful God, help me to serve you faithfully. Make me more likeJesus each day, and help me to share with others the good news of yourgreat salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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BibliographyBarker, Kenneth L., and John R. Kohlenberger III. Zondervan NIV Bible

Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1994.Elwell, Walter A., ed. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.:

Baker Book House, 1988.Gray, John. I and II Kings: A Commentary. Second edition. The Old Testament

Library. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1970, 1976.Guthrie, D., and J. A. Motyer, eds. The New Bible Commentary: Revised. Grand

Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1970.Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament. Volume III.

Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1975.NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1985.

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D I S C O V E R Y O U R B I B L E S E R I E SBible Studies for Small Groups

ELIJAH & ELISHAThe prophets Elijah and Elisha were extraordinary servants whom God used to call his people back to faithfulness in Old Testament Israel. Their fearless prophecies and remarkable miracles reveal the holy God who punishes sin and yet extends grace to the undeserving. Though they lived in a far different time and place, Elijah and Elisha—prophets with power—have much to teach us today.

The Discover Your Bible series inspires readers to discover together what the Bible says and means. Participants dive into the text using questions that spark meaningful conversation and personalized application. Every lesson is designed to be a framework that guides groups on a unique and transformative journey. Discover more at DiscoverYourBible.org.

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